Foetal tissue plays pivotal role in formation of insulin-producing cells

Washington,
Wed, 07 Sep 2011ANI

Washington, Sept 7 (ANI): A somewhat mysterious soft tissue found in the foetus during early development in the womb plays a pivotal role in the formation of mature beta cells, the sole source of the body's insulin, according to a new study.

This discovery, made by scientists at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Texas A and M University, may lead to new ways of addressing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

During the late stages of development in mice, this foetal tissue-called the mesenchyme-secretes chemicals. Those chemicals enable insulin-producing beta cells to mature and expand.

When this mesenchyme tissue was removed, the researchers found that the mice do not grow their full complement of beta cells.

By identifying the chemicals that this tissue secretes, scientists may be able to create new beta cells in the body or in the test tube-something currently beyond the reach of medical science.

"If we can identify all these chemical factors, there is a possibility that we could generate fully functional beta cells from stem cell populations. Also, such molecules might allow us to increase beta cell numbers in people with Type 2 diabetes, whose level of insulin production is impaired," said Matthias Hebrok, PhD, who directs the UCSF Diabetes Centre.